Hundreds flock to waterfront for annual Holiday on the Harbor

Sun, 12/09/2018 - 6:30pm

Louis Bettcher

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo courtesy Peter Ralston)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Warm beverages and snacked were served at the harbor’s edge on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Coco Klein and her mother, Nicole, have an exciting moment with Santa on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Pizza was served aboard an illuminated school bus by Flatbread Company on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

This year the Christmas tree in Marine Park was decorated with red and white lobster buoys. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Doug Cole emceed the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Santa made a special appearance in Rockport Harbor on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Santa made a surprise visit to do some last minute shopping at the Ralston Gallery in Rockport on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Hundreds of fireworks prepared to be loaded onto a barge in Rockport Harbor on Dec. 8. (Photo source: Facebook, “Holiday on the Harbor”)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo courtesy Peter Ralston)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Warm beverages and snacked were served at the harbor’s edge on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Coco Klein and her mother, Nicole, have an exciting moment with Santa on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Pizza was served aboard an illuminated school bus by Flatbread Company on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

This year the Christmas tree in Marine Park was decorated with red and white lobster buoys. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Dozens attended the annual fireworks show during Rockport’s Holiday on the Harbor Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Doug Cole emceed the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Santa made a special appearance in Rockport Harbor on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

(Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Santa made a surprise visit to do some last minute shopping at the Ralston Gallery in Rockport on Dec. 8. (Photo by Louis Bettcher)

Hundreds of fireworks prepared to be loaded onto a barge in Rockport Harbor on Dec. 8. (Photo source: Facebook, “Holiday on the Harbor”)

Despite frigid temperatures, droves of holiday revelers and fireworks enthusiasts attended this year’s Holiday on the Harbor festival Dec. 8, which culminated with a dramatic pyrotechnic show above Rockport Harbor.

Earlier in the day visitors enjoyed musical performances by Odeon and Bay Chamber Concert’s Suzuki violin students at Union Hall, and enjoyed a special menu of holiday offerings at restaurants throughout the village.

In the evening some 2,000 luminaries – this year lit by LED tea lights rather than traditional candles – adorned the harbor and downtown streets.

In the evening hundreds of visitors attended a tree lighting ceremony in Rockport Marine Park, following which hundreds of fireworks were sent into the sky from a barge in the center of the harbor.

Hot cocoa, cookies and an assortment of snacks were served by volunteers and vendors, and Flat Bread Co. served pizza to event goers from an illuminated school bus at the harbor’s edge.

Following the fireworks show, a free screening of “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” was offered at the Rockport Opera House. And to complete the festivities, Santa took time out of his busy schedule to greet everyone on his “nice” list.